How to Check If Your Car Has a Recall

In the United States, use NHTSA's free recall lookup with your VIN or license plate and state to check for unrepaired recalls. If a recall appears, contact an authorized dealer about the remedy.

CarSafetyDB helps you research stored recall campaigns by make, model, and year. It does not check your VIN or confirm whether your vehicle has received a recall repair.

Check open recalls on NHTSA.gov

Method 1: Check Open Recalls by VIN or License Plate

To use NHTSA's vehicle-specific lookup with your VIN:

1. Find your 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It is printed on the driver's side dashboard near the windshield, on the driver's door jamb sticker, and on your registration and insurance documents.
2. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN.
3. Review the unrepaired recalls returned for your VIN. The lookup has coverage limits, so an empty result is not a complete vehicle history.

To search by license plate instead, select that option on NHTSA.gov and enter your plate and state. Verify that the result identifies your vehicle. If it shows a previously owned vehicle, use the VIN instead and ask your state DMV to update the plate record.

Both lookup methods have limits: they may omit older recalls beyond 15 years, completed repairs, and newly announced campaigns. Some manufacturers and international vehicles are not covered. A result with no unrepaired recalls is not proof that your car has never been recalled or that it has no safety concerns. Check with the manufacturer for older or newly issued recalls. See the limitations listed on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Method 2: Search by Make, Model, and Year

If you want to research published recall records for a specific vehicle type (not tied to your VIN), you can search by make, model, and year:

• On this site: Use the search bar on our homepage or browse by make to find your vehicle. Each vehicle page lists available stored campaigns and remedy descriptions, not your VIN's repair status.
• On NHTSA.gov: Visit nhtsa.gov/recalls and use the search-by-vehicle option.

Method 3: Contact Your Dealer

Any authorized dealer for your vehicle's make can check for open recalls using your VIN. Ask about repair eligibility and availability for the specific campaign.

Federal law generally requires a recall remedy without charge, subject to exceptions. Under 49 U.S.C. 30120(g)(1), that requirement does not apply when the first purchase was more than 15 calendar years before the earlier recall notice or order. Tires have separate rules. This is not an automatic expiration when a vehicle turns 15. Confirm your campaign's remedy and eligibility with the manufacturer. See 49 U.S.C. 30120.

What Happens After a Recall?

• The manufacturer is required to notify registered owners by mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of its recall decision.
• The manufacturer or authorized dealer can explain the remedy and whether your vehicle qualifies for a repair without charge.
• If you paid for a repair that was later covered by a recall, you may be eligible for reimbursement from the manufacturer.
• A VIN lookup's coverage window is not the same as the legal conditions for a repair without charge.

Found an open recall? Follow the manufacturer's interim safety instructions and read our step-by-step guide to arranging a recall remedy.

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline

For recall information, call NHTSA's toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-888-275-9171). Available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. See NHTSA's contact information.